24 May 2003

Alliance legislators to discuss the consequences of Iraq for transatlantic relations The NATO Parliamentary Assembly will hold its Spring Session for the first time in the Czech Republic in Prague from 24 to 28 May 2003 at the Obecni Dum (Municipal House), Republic Square. About 300 legislators from North America and Europe are expected to participate in the five-day session. The situation in Iraq and its consequences will be the focus of the plenary debate on Wednesday 28 May and also the meeting of the NATO-Russia Parliamentary Standing Committee - the parliamentary equivalent of the NATO-Russia Council - on Saturday 24 May at 16:00. Other than the impact on the Alliance of the Iraq crisis, issues under discussion throughout the session will include the war against terrorism, reform of NATO's command structure, plans for a NATO response force and the current round of NATO enlargement as well as the problems posed by organised crime, the state of the Russian economy and the threat from weapons of mass destruction The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is the inter-parliamentary organisation of legislators from NATO member countries and 19 partner countries. The Assembly provides a critical forum for international parliamentary dialogue on an array of security, political and economic matters. Its principal objective is to foster mutual understanding among Alliance parliamentarians who represent a broad spectrum of political parties. Additional information: NATO/PA Press release: 14 May 2003, Brussels - Alliance legislators to discuss the consequences of Iraq for transatlantic relations Website of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly